Anna Little is now following me on Twitter! And boy, am I excited!

This morning, I awoke to the following e-mail:

“Anna Little is now following your tweets on Twitter. A little information about Anna Little: 2380 following. 2306 followers.”

Now, while that doesn't seem to me like a really great number of Twitter “followers” for someone running for Congress. However, I really shouldn't talk. I have a mere 277 followers, and I follow 522 people. I don't know what it says about you if you are following twice as many people as are following you––I do feel kind of like a very unpopular high school geek. But, I digress.

Waaaaaay back at the beginning of the summer in June, on New Jersey Primary Day, Anna Little was outspent, out–gunned and out-media-ed by her billionaire primary opponent, Diane Gooch for the right to run against Frank Pallone for Congress in NJ-6. Gooch spent $200,574 on her campaign, more than ten times as much as Little spent, after raising $432,902. Little won the nomination on a literal shoestring budget of $19,503. So it goes.

Little, under her Twitter feed, lists the following bio:

“I am a Constitutional Conservative running for Congress to beat Frank Pallone in #NJ6 and resist the progressive agenda. It's time to take our Country back!”

Notice that she capitalizes the words ‘constitutional’ and ‘conservative’, and “country”–––like she owns them. Like they are hers. Like she has had them trademarked and no one else can use them. I'm surprised she doesn't have a little “TM” in a circle next to each word.

However, she fails to capitalize The Words “progressive” or “agenda”. Oh, she does properly capitalize the words “Frank” and “Pallone”.

Before the primary way back in June, I asked AFP president Steve Lonegan for a prediction––and he correctly predicted that Little would beat Gooch. So, I offered him the following bet––which he took: if Little wins, then I write a check to AFP for $100. However, if Frank Pallone wins, then Steve writes a check for $100 to the ACLU-NJ.

And so, now I will begin to follow Anna Little on Twitter because they tell me that it's only courteous that if someone follows you, you should follow them right back.

My prediction: the ACLU of New Jersey will be $100 richer in November.

Wing Man: How I survived three days of Right-Wing peace, love and music.

Part One: Gorillas in the Missed

In the 1970s, Dian Fossey spent a great deal of time living in a habitat with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, in an effort to learn all about their way of life. She wanted to separate the truth about the mountain gorilla from the Hollywood "King Kong" myth of an aggressive, savage beast.

I was very inspired by her story, and so I decided to do the same thing. Just not with gorillas, though.

Last weekend, I spent three days of ‘peace, love and music’ with that very rare animal in New Jersey, the Republican-Conservative-Libertarian (herein after referred to as the ‘RCLs’). I wanted to separate the truth about the RCLs from the national political rhetorical myth of being passionless, humorless, narrow-minded, and not-very-bright politicos. Nothing could be further from the truth. Most are bright, spirited, passionate, insightful folks, whose values very largely differ from mine, as well as other Left of center Democrats. Oh, they have plenty of whackos, for sure. But ALL of the RCLs should be not defined by those whackos.

While the Daily Kos Netroots Nation conference was happening at the Westin Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh, just across one of the Three Rivers, the Americans for Prosperity (AFP) were holding their own counter-conference---the RightOnline Conference. This is where, at the Station Square Sheraton Hotel, the RCLs gathered with their ilk for some information, inspiration, and instruction from the likes of commentator/blogger Michelle Malkin, economist Stephen Moore, Bush tax-cuts creator Grover Norquist, and (even) Joe The Plumber---just some of the aforementioned RCL whackos.

I decided to go for the full-tilt-boogie RCL experience: I traveled with them. I stayed in a hotel with them. I ate meals with them. I hung out in between sessions and ‘joked’ with them. Yes, that is right---

Contrary to popular belief; the RCLs do have a sense of humor. They cracked jokes about Gore (“Yup, he invented the Internet…..and Global Warming.”); President Obama (“The Anointed One even needs a teleprompter to take a dump.”); and the Netroots Nation people across the three rivers (“We can tell where the Left-Wingers

are---from the smoke haze above Pittsburgh---they’re all smoking dope, wearing tie-dye and singing ‘Kumbaya’”.) Well, maybe, that last observation is not too far off.

I rode with them on their AFP bus from New Jersey, leaving bright and early at 7am in Bordentown, NJ, and picking up several other Pennsylvania

RCLs along the way in King of Prussia. After that stop, we were on our way to Steel City. While I was disappointed that Mr. AFP-NJ himself ---Steve Lonegan ---was not on the bus, I was treated to a plethora of various RCLs of different species during the six-hour plus ride. Some were more CL than R. However, all seem to be pro-life, anti-marriage equality, anti-any tax, and all solid Reaganistas. And they were all on the bus to fight against health care, cap and trade, and any further bailouts.

I seem to ‘fit’ in just fine. Being fat, bald, and white-bearded, I seem to ‘blend’ in just fine. It did not hurt that I know many of the required RCL ‘buzz words’, and know my Constitution fairly well.

No one asked me about my politics----which I would have shared gladly. At one point, however, I was asked who I voted for in the presidential primary. I declared that “I hold my secret ballot sacred, but I will tell you one thing: I did not vote for John McCain.” Nodding knowingly, she said, "Neither did I."

Like out of a Hollywood casting call, there were RCLs of every shape and size. While the names here are not going to be changed to protect the innocent---these folks were hardily innocent---I will, respectfully, just use initials.

There was ‘M’, a very religious Evangelical Christian who carried a photo book of a trip he made to see Bush speak in New Jersey a few years back. In a conversation we had about the Iraq War.

He made to see Bush speak in New Jersey a few years back. In a conversation we had about the Iraq War. I asserted that I was opposed to the war (in part), because there was never a formal declaration of war under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. For that ‘infraction of conscience’, he actually reported me to the bus captain as being opposed to ‘peace through strength’. Really. More on 'M', later.

There was chain-smoking ‘R’, a newly elected Republican State Committee member, who was furious that his State Committee refused to adopt the Pro-Life/Anti-Gay RNC National Platform. There was ‘D’, a 40ish former media professional, who hated Affirmative Action, who asked me, “What’s the problem with those people? We have a black president? What else do those people want?”

There was ‘N’, a teacher who was a former Liberal Democrat (‘LibDem’ was the self-describing term she used), who was converted over the airwaves by the magic of Rush Limbaugh. She now argues regularly with her brother, a solid ‘LibDem’. She said she was in a quandary over his assertion that “healthcare is a right, like ‘police protection, and an education.’”

For the next twenty minutes we looked diligently at the Constitution copies we had been given, trying to figure the whole thing out.

I came up with the idea health care was a ‘right’ under the “promote the general welfare” assertion in the Preamble. And that the "cruel and unusual punishment" clause of the 8th Amendment to the Constitution had been interpreted by the Supreme Court to require prisoners, as part of their humane treatment during detention, to be guaranteed the right to health care under ESTELLE v. GAMBLE, 429, U.S. 97, 1976. “And certainly citizens have rights greater than that of prisoners,” I said, to which all nodded.

“...So, it must be a ‘right’. And, after all, what more important way to ‘promote the general welfare’ than promoting the ‘health’ of the populace. And it’s so important, the Founding Framers chose to put it up front.”

This did not sit well with ‘M’, the former LibDem. Fighting against government health care was the reason she was on this bus. I got that “Deer in the Headlights” look from her.

I would get that look periodically through the weekend from several other RCLs.

More later, in Part Two: Lonegan and the Conference.

Steve Lonegan anti-Cap and Trade Road Show

Went to see the Steve Lonegan anti-Cap and Trade Road Show last night. This one in Clinton, in the heart of conservative-right wing-libertarian Lonegan country.

Packed house for the usual right-wing debunking of the global warming "myth/conspiracy". On hand, of course, was Assemblyman Mike Doherty, the original anti-global warming zealot.

Packed house—all the usual Republicans were there: Hunterdon Chairman Kuhl (no question with a name like that he be opposed to global warming); the aforementioned Mike Doherty, who had his own anti-global warming road show while back---the one where he was asked if he believed in evolution, and he said, “It does not matter. Evolution or creationism. It just does not matter.” Erik Peterson, the winner of the political sweepstakes shift when Leonard Lance won his seat in Congress.

Missing were State Senator Marcia Karrow and Congressman Lance, himself.

Lance has always been a good thinker, and an independent legislator, by and large. No doubt he is a Republican by philosophy, geography and family lineage ----however in a district that went big time for Lonegan in the gubernatorial primary, he may be shifting too far to the center to suit some of the RLC* folks –*Republican Conservative-Libertarian. His vote for Cap -n- Trade was one of the few Republican votes in Congress. Three from NJ, so he was not alone. But the usually popular Lance got booed last night.

Much of the anti-Cap and Trade was based on their “proof” that climate change does not exist. Debunking Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” with stories by John Stossell about how a photo of a polar bear was taken in August; how the whole global warming conspiracy can be traced somehow to Goldman Sachs, who would make billions on Cap n Trade; and how their science (which comes from ‘objective’ sources like The Heritage Foundation) was just seeking The Truth.

Anyway, 250 or so angry folks sat and listened to Lonegan, who cracked jokes (“Proof of climate change for me is the change in women’s lingerie over the years.”), asserted that Friends of The Earth and the Sierra Club were “communist front groups” (Are you listening Comrade Tittle?) and got cued-boos when he mentioned Obama, Gore, or Lance.

By way, maybe the liberalism is catching: Congressman Lance and Al Gore both went to the same law school, Vanderbilt University Law School.

Anyway, if any of the folks there did not see “An Inconvenient Truth”, it is now available on DVD.

Cap and Trade is what the Republicans always say they want: tax incentives to promote environmental protection, rather than government regulation.

Less state spending? Maybe start by cutting Lonegan's campaign money....

It's playing hand shadows:

Conservative candidate for governor Steve Lonegan the other day called for less state spending by cutting the DEP, Community Affairs, Health and Seniors Services, and Labor and Workforce departments.

Seems like a good idea to me---that way the only areas of the state affected are clean drinking water, clean breathable air, small towns and communities, senior citizens, and New Jersey’s working families. Seems absolutely workable without cutting in to the heart of New Jersey.

Ironically, the one area Mr. Lonegan seems to have neglected to cut is the funding of gubernatorial candidates themselves. This stalwart for less and less government is receiving money from the hand he wants to bite off----the state government itself. Lonegan is set to receive “an additional $139,640 in matching funds soon,” according to PolitickerNJ.

Now, if Mr. Lonegan was a true conservative libertarian as he claims to be ---over and over again ---he would refuse tax payer state funding of his Republican primary campaign, and seek funds from the private sector. Charlie Stiles of the Record called Lonegan, "The Bulworth of Bogota…kooky, iconoclastic wild card…the voice of the disenchanted party’s right wing..”

Now, a strong argument can be made that primary elections, unlike general elections are purely political party affairs and no state tax dollars should go to fund such races. However, that being said, Lonegan is certainly fun to watch, if nothing else, and his inclusion in the Republican primary does make the race more interesting to watch---so maybe that makes it worth the money.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! This year will certainly be a challenging one for the Garden State as we march towards a year in which there will be a legislative and gubernatorial election. Buzz being what buzz is, as this is written, there are just a few folks running [literally and figuratively] on the Republican side.

There is perennial candidate Steve Lonegan of Americans for Prosperity who stands for everything libertarian, capitalist, and 'small government'.

There's Richard Merkt, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1998, where he represents the 25th legislative district. He is the one who has pledged to "jog" in all 566 towns, and has recently completed running in 300 of them.

Also, upping his New Jersey ante is Franklin Mayor Brian Levine, considering a run for governor himself. Now, I have met Brian before [I believe he is the brother of someone I know from Hunterdon County], and he seems like an affable guy, but his political eyes are a mite bigger than his political stomach, methinks.

But, what do I know. A year ago, I was at the New Jersey progressive political caucus standing with with the Bill Richardson supporters.

Of course, the real candidate everyone Republican is waiting for is my fellow Seton Hall Law grad Chris Christie. He should announce soon, if he is running---the filing deadline is mid-April, as usual. So, hmm.....

Hint: No one has booked www.christie4governor.com, www.christieforgovernor.com or www.christieforNewJersey.com or www.christie2008.com or even www.I'mChrisChristieandIamstilldecidingwhetherIamrunningforgovernor.com as of yet.

Happy New Year, and thanks Rob Tornoe for all the great NJ stuff in 2008.

Power, Politics and Punchlines in NJ

This afternoon, I appeared again on Power & Politics with Laura Jones on News 12. They have invited me to be a guest on the first Friday of each month to talks about the lighter side of politics in the Garden State. I look forward to becoming a regular part of the show, and will enjoy working with them.

Maybe we will go with "Punchlines & Politics" as the title of the feature. Maybe, I will stick with "New Jersey: Politics Unusual".

Today, I spoke about the problems some towns will have if they merge with other towns---and what the names of the towns will have to change to. It was basically a re-run of my blog post from a few weeks ago on the same topic. I had fun on the show, Laura Jones was wonderful, and I look forward to the show again. For those of you who get News 12, my next appearance will be on Friday April 4th.

Today, I appeared on the show with Zenon Christodoulou, who spoke on behalf of the Clinton campaign and Mayor Jun Choi of Edison, who spoke on behalf of the Obama campaign.

Also on the show was Steve Lonegan, the "number one" conservative in New Jersey---and the bane of Governor Corzine plans to get New Jersey out of debt. He gave me a copy of his book, "Putting Taxpayers First". He asked me to read it, and "trash it on your blog, so people will buy it."

Agreed, Steve. I will read it and do so, if it rises to that level of trash.

So far, I read the introduction and the first chapter ---and there isn't much substance to it, and it seemed very simplistic thus far.

But I will plow through it, and report back. Anything to keep a right-winger happy.